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Newsletter 4. 23 . 2014

Hola Flamenco Followers! Welcome to our April edition of the Flamenco ¡Si! Newsletter!

Since our last newsletter, we’ve had so many exciting events- Flamenco was booming and blooming with the Spring season! In the past few weeks, with booked performances from all of our local artists, flamenco could be found uptown and downtown, in dance studio cafés and historic churches, from New Orleans to Reserve, to Baton Rouge, from traditional choreographies to fusion with Balkan music or Kathak dance . We would like to also acknowledge the enthusiasm and creative collaboration that was sparked, nurtured and shared at the first edition of Café Flamenco, hosted by Eliza Llewellyn. And, as you will see below, we have so much more to look forward to!

For those of you just joining us, this newsletter is a monthly publication which will come out on the third Wednesday of every month. Founded and managed for many years by Teresa Torkanowsky and Carrie Hood, editing has now been passed on to Ingrid Adrianza and Daniella Santoro.

For Artists, this newsletter is here for your promotional needs, information and contacts. For Flamenco

Enthusiasts, this newsletter is here to inform, inspire, and educate about all things flamenco in New Orleans.

For further information please call María José at 504-315-0009 or email her at mariajosesalmeron@yahoo.com

A “Peña” describes the traditional setting where people of southern Spain gather to celebrate their culture of local “barrios” and “gitanos.” The art of Flamenco is the medium of dance, singing, and guitar. The music and dance describe the life and emotional culture of the people. Peña La Pepa stands as a cultural association for recreation and sharing to promote an atmosphere of Flamenco in all its facets.

We will dance, sing, and celebrate. If you would like to play an instrument feel free to bring it with you. Olé con Olé y Olé!

DANCERS WANTED

April 29 6:30-8:30 PM

Slidell, Louisiana

Request From Carmen Dunphy of the Zeta Phi Beta Sorority in Slidell:

“My name is Carmen Dunphy. Tau Kappa Zeta Graduate Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. will have our Annual Wine Tasting, on April 29 from 6:30pm-8:30pm. I’ve attached a flyer to this email. This is our annual fundraiser for scholarships. Each year we provide scholarships to graduating high school seniors in St. Tammany Parish public school system. This year our theme is a trip to Spain. I thought it would be nice if we could have a couple of Spanish dances. Maybe a flamenco and/or paso doble? We are a non profit organization and do not have money in the budget to paid you and was hoping you could donate your time and talent for a worthy cause. All money made at this event goes toward scholarships. Maybe you can write your dance services off on your taxes. We can provide a receipt”.

*Note: this is the last class series before Eliza leaves to tour with her company for the summer.

FLAMENCO BASICS – Tuesdays, April 15, 22 & 29 – 6:00 – 7:15pm

An introduction to the beautiful, passionate, and profound Gitano-Andalusian art form known as Flamenco. Perfect for all level of beginners, even those trying it for the first time, the session will examine flamenco posture, arm, hand and body technique, stylization, footwork technique, flamenco rhythms, and the basic structure of flamenco dance. Students will learn short segments or variations in each class. Flamenco or character shoes are best for class, but other sturdy footwear will work(i.e. low, thick heeled shoes or boots) and comfy clothing to allow movement like stretch pants and a form fitting top.

Ideal for the advanced beginner or intermediate level student, this technique and choreography driven class builds on core aspects such as zapateado (footwork), palmas (hand clapping) and braceo (arm movements), turns and marcajes (marking steps), as well as how to create an elegant balance of motion and energy to exude the type of passion that drives this art. Students will explore a variety of rhythms this session and will learn short segments or variations in each class. This class moves at a faster pace than Level 1.

“Julie Galle Baggenstoss, a Slidell High graduate, recently returned to her old stomping ground on Tiger Drive to perform for much of the school’s student body. Along with the help of some students and her band, she presented an interactive fl amenco presentation on March 14 to Spanish, French, and American Sign Language students. She demonstrated to the foreign language students the many styles of emotional dance, music, and poetry that flamenco offers”

Red flamenco skirt , with black trimmed single ruffle made in Spain (D’Pertiñez), size Medium. Excellent condition. Can be used for practice or performance. For more information, contact Eliza at elizaflamenkita@gmail.com or (504) 421-3517.

REFLECTIONS ON CAFE FLAMENCO

By Eliza Llewellyn

The first week in April in my hometown of New Orleans has been one of the most special I can remember in a very long time. A glimmering, shimmering week, sparkling with the joys of all things new & renewed: connections, collaborations, ideas, steps and rhythms. The first edition of Café Flamenco- a wonderfully vibrant evening of community flamenco- and the inspiring 3-Day Flamenco Intensive with Melissa Cruz were milestone events. Both events nurtured local students, aficionados, and art enthusiasts and fulfilled the purpose of creating, sharing & inspiring. Repeatedly I was told of fi rst encounters- with new dance or rhythmic concepts- and for some, this was a moving initial encounter with flamenco itself. To see that inspired glint in another’s eye or a person so overcome with emotion that all they can do is smile is something invaluable. I am so grateful to all those who played a part in this celebration of flamenco arts in our city. NOLA came alive to the duende!

Did you join us in these festivities? If so, please let me know your impressions. If you have pictures, feel free to send some along to me and I will include them in an upcoming Events page on my website. Looking forward to bringing future editions of Café Flamenco and other opportunities for our community to delve into this rich art form.

FLAMENCO AT BACH AROUND THE CLOCK

By Daniella Santoro

On April 5, I was privileged to perform with ‘Micaela y Fiesta Flamenca’ at Bach Around the Clock, possibly one of the most overlooked artistic events in our city. For 17 years, Manon and Albinas Prizgintas have coordinated a massive 29 hour non- stop assemblage of local artists including orchestral music, piano concertos, jazz, opera, and in our case, flamenco.

Feeling somewhat dwarfed by the talent around me and the ceiling arches above me, I wondered what is Flamenco’s place in all of this? These thoughts were fleeting however for as soon as I started to move to the Tientos opening palo, my mental and physical faculties were overcome and dominated by the demands of my body: from the percussive accents of my feet, to the energetic tips of my fingers. Familiar nervous energy became indistinguishable from any other energy required by my body in dance, and before I knew it, it was all over, andI had to relinquish the stage to other artists.

After our performance, our dance space was fi lled by fresh faced Loyola students in tuxes, with their violins, tubas, and french horns. Their youthful appearance belied the maturity of sound and beauty with which they relayed this Saint-Seans symphony to the audience. Then, at a few strokes to midnight the lights in the church suddenly dimmed, and Albinas began his piece de resistance: an organ fugue in D minor which would conclude the day long festivities.

With the lights dimmed I could no longer distinguish sound from space- the organ sang from the front of the church, while the bass sounds rose to the ceilings and dripped down, and horns punctuated the air behind me. The architecture of the church became its own instrument, and I was transported and privileged for the second time that night, first by the act of performance and then by the deceivingly simple act of listening. It was an incredible night of talent and spirit, and one of many examples of the many worlds that bridge flamenco with music and artists around the city.

If you would like to contribute any reflections on your dance or flamenco related experiences, please don’t hesitate!

Announcement: please note if there are any professional activities, class changes, or performances that occur between the last Flamenco Si newsletter and before the next one’s that was not included, please contact Teresa at teresafl amenca@hotmail.com and she will send out the information immediately.